McCloskey-Prescott fight to move closer to Khan rematch

British junior welterweight Paul McCloskey will face Breidis Prescott on Sept. 10, at the Odyssey Arena, Belfast, Northern Ireland, in a pre-title elimination bout for a WBA title shot.

McCloskey, a 31-year-old southpaw from Derry, NI, lost to WBA beltholder Amir Khan in April this year when a cut to his left eye in round six, following an accidental clash of heads, resulted in the contest being stopped.

Now McCloskey has the chance to revive his stock against Colombian Prescott, 28, the only person to have inflicted a defeat on Khan.

“We’re going for the man that Amir couldn’t beat,” said McCloskey (22-1, 12 knockouts). “I could’ve gone for an easier fight but I don’t feel like a beaten fighter so why should I go for anything but the best.”

Prescott (24-2 19 KOs) stunned Khan in September 2008, knocking out the British star in round one of a WBO intercontinental bout.

But the winner of McCloskey-Prescott is unlikely to get an immediate second crack at Khan, who meets IBF champion Zab Judah in Las Vegas on Saturday .

Khan believes Argentine Marcos Maidana, THE RING’s No 3-rated junior welterweight, should be next up for whoever triumphs in Belfast.

“I heard it’s a WBA title eliminator or something," said the 24-year-old from Bolton. "But first they have to beat Maidana because I am the super champion. I don’t think either one of them will beat Maidana to get to me.”